Children and Family Services

PQCHC provides a variety of free family drop-ins to Ontario residents where families can play and learn together in a child-friendly space. These regular meetings are geared towards parents, caregivers and their children aged 0 to 6. Drop-ins are facilitated by qualified staff, who are happy to answer questions and provide access to referral services.

Pinecrest-Queensway offers a variety of free workshops for parents and caregivers to give them the tools they need to raise happy, healthy children. Each workshop is geared towards specific periods in a child’s development from birth to age 12, meaning that visitors are sure to find a subject that addresses their most immediate needs.

The Blind–Low Vision (BLV) Early Intervention Program is an initiative of the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Its objective is to give children who are born blind or with low vision the best possible start in life.

Pinecrest-Queensway Headstart Nursery School is a fully subsidized preschool program located at Dr. F.J. McDonald School. The program operates in two large classrooms, with an outdoor climber and a spacious play area. Headstart’s curriculum fosters creativity, curiosity, independence, interaction, communication and respect for others.

The Infant Hearing Program is an initiative of the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Its objective is to identify infants who are deaf or at risk of developing hearing loss in early childhood and provide related support and communication development services to families.

Leaping Lizards is a free, play-based program with a focus on building positive social skills, literacy, numeracy and physical fitness for children entering junior kindergarten through their 7th birthday. Children get to experience special activities and field trips.

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre offers the free Circle of Support program to families with children 0 to 6 residing in the PQ catchment area. We currently have the ability to serve families in Arabic or English.

Preparing to begin school for the first time is an exciting moment, and a great opportunity for children and parents to learn together. Pinecrest-Queensway and the Ottawa-West Nepean Early ON Centre offer a slate of free, fun school readiness programs help children enhance fundamental skills and help children to achieve their full learning potential.